A Century After the Genocide, Turkey is Perceived as a Potential Threat to Our Security, Says Pashinyan

Armenia is ready to reaffirm diplomatic relations with Turkey without any preconditions. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made this statement during an interview with "Corriere della Sera", in response to a question about diplomatic relations with Ankara.

“We have said, and I repeat, that we are ready to reaffirm diplomatic relations with Turkey without any preconditions. The international recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not a prerequisite for our relations with Turkey. This recognition is a very important process that is necessary not for our relations with them, but, as I said, for the global prevention of genocides,” said the Prime Minister.

Pashinyan also addressed the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the U.S. House of Representatives, calling it a significant step that would help prevent potential future genocides. “Furthermore, such decisions change the atmosphere in our region. They send signals that such aggressive policies will not be accepted by the international community. Unfortunately, a century after the genocide, Turkey is still perceived by Armenians as a potential threat to our security. For nearly 30 years now, our border has been closed by Turkey, not by us. From the Armenian side, it is open,” Pashinyan noted.

He expressed gratitude to the Italian Chamber of Deputies for recognizing the Armenian Genocide as such. The Prime Minister emphasized that efforts are being made to secure as many recognitions from foreign partners as possible to achieve global recognition.